The 7 People Who Could Change Your Style

The 7 People Who Could Change Your Style

VICTORIA BECKHAM

How you know her: as half of the fabulously stylish Beckham duo; from her stint as a fierce guest judge on the fourth season finale of Project Runway; for her signature pout and pose on the red carpet; for her fashion and fragrance line, dVb. And, depending on your age, you may also remember dancing to the Spice Girls' 1996 hit "Wannabe." But mostly you know the 34-year-old as the woman the paparazzi never catch off guard. Posh at The Coffee Bean in her sweats? Think not! As Los Angeles Times fashion critic Booth Moore says, "Beckham dresses, really dresses, for every occasion." Love her or love to hate her, you've gotta admit: You can't wait to see what Posh is going to wear next. --James Patrick Herman

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TO REV UP YOUR LOOK...

"All you need to add to a simple outfit is a pair of cool sunglasses, good shoes and a nice handbag.

BUY VINTAGE...

"It's less obvious. People will ask, 'Where is that from?' It won't become immediately dated like the latest expensive designer buy."

SPLURGE ON JEANS...

"If you spend a decent amount, you should be able to wear them time and again. Make sure they're nice and long in the leg."

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

Long before Christian Louboutin's stilettos became an awards show staple, his label was a well-guarded secret of Frenchwomen and fashion editors alike. Happily, some women broke ranks and spread the love (Louboutin doesn't advertise). The Parisian designer, 44, has since become a world-class creator of trends, meaning that if you've been tempted to paint the bottoms of your heels with bright nail polish or been addicted to concealed platforms this year, Louboutin is responsible. He is also known for heading to stores to enthusiastically autograph--you guessed it--his shoes' soles. --Jenny Feldman

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I GET IDEAS FOR MY SHOES FROM...

"Not fashion, but from art, something in my garden or even an interesting conversation I've had with someone."

IT'S EASIER TO LOOK YOUR BEST IF...

"You have tons of confidence in yourself and trust that you know what you like and look good in."

MY SHOPPING ADVICE...

"If you're going to buy just one pair, make it a neutral-color pump with nothing that imprisons the ankle."

ALBER ELBAZ

Are you a ballet-flats-and-chunky-necklaces kinda gal? You've pretty much got Alber Elbaz to thank for making these eccentric-chic add-ons part of your everyday wardrobe. As the head designer of the 119-year-old French house of Lanvin, the Moroccan-born Elbaz, 46, has gently revolutionized what it means to be gorgeously dressed (think tulip skirts, pearls strung on tulle, the aforementioned flats in every color under the sun). Natalie Portman's a fan; so's Gwyneth Paltrow. And virtually every fashion editor on the planet's obsessed too. Maybe it's because his designs manage to be undeniably feminine with an undercurrent of modesty--this isn't the place to find skintight leather pants, bustier tops and displays of major décolletage. The look this season? Try subtle colors, interesting pleating (on skirts and tops) and--our fave--a one-shoulder dress or two. --Alexandra Marshall

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CHOOSE A DRESS...

BLACK OR COLOR...

"Absolutely both! I'm a Gemini. I hope no one has told you just one of these. Oh, my God--both, both, both!"

MY SUCCESS SECRET...

"All you have to do is make a woman beautiful in front of the mirror and she'll desire your clothes."

AGYNESS DEYN

Agyness Deyn, 25, has been a recognizable face for barely two years, but the fashion paparazzi worship her. And it's the punky bleached blond's personal style that makes her so memorable. Usually seen in something tomboyish and eighties-inspired--neon tops with cheeky slogans, skinny jeans, newsboy caps and beat-up-looking Dr. Martens or sneakers--the "new Kate Moss" insists she doesn't spend much time getting dressed. "I wear anything on the floor that's clean," she says. And though she's often photographed out and about, the Manchester, England-born Deyn has built a rep that's more about her work ethic than partying. Wanna get in on her cooler-than-cool image? You'll need a little cropped jacket and a bright-color tee, preferably from your friend's band. --J.F.

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IF I WEREN'T A MODEL...

"I'd be an actress. I was at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts when I got 'discovered.'"

STYLEWISE...

"Women should not be afraid to push more boundaries. They could have more fun if they did."

I'M INSPIRED BY...

"Kids on the street, like skateboarders and punks--the way they mix things up."

SERGE NORMANT

Yes, he's the man Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker and Catherine Zeta-Jones have all entrusted with their hair, but Serge Normant, 42, has also helped countless noncelebs find their happiest 'dos. At his salon, Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York, there's one thing he will never do: Give you a cut based on your face shape. He scoffs at these "rules," saying, "A good cut is about understanding a woman's lifestyle: what she does for work, where she lives." And though much of his work has exhibited a wildly imaginative artistic streak (the styles he creates for magazine stories have crazy-big blowouts and piles of Renaissance-inspired braids), he is the first to acknowledge that fantasy has its place. In real life? "If you like an artsy style in a magazine, don't clone it--try a more natural interpretation." --J.F.

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GREAT HAIR IS ABOUT...

"Avoiding styles that look like you've done your hair for hours and hours and you can't really move."

I DON'T AGREE THAT...

"After a certain age, women have to cut their hair short. It's more important to be in touch with who you are."

WHAT'S SO OVER...

"Extensions. They were exciting at first, but now you see so many terrible versions. It's important to get good ones."

TAKASHI MURAKAMI

Don't hang out at art gallery openings? You'd probably still recognize Takashi Murakami's work for Louis Vuitton: the multicolor logos in 2003, the 2005 cherry blossom print and this fall's camouflage prints--all of which have made bright, art-influenced designs hot sellers everywhere. Often compared to Andy Warhol, Murakami, 46, employs more than 100 people in Tokyo and New York to help churn out his mind-boggling array of sculptures, paintings and doodads. Since he's exploded internationally, the artist has garnered retrospectives at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and the Brooklyn Museum. Want to incorporate a little of his pop art into your wardrobe? You can buy T-shirts featuring his work at shop.brooklynmuseum.org/murakami. --J.F.

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I'M NOT ASHAMED THAT...

"I'm an otaku [Japanese for nerd] who loves cartoons."

ART AND FASHION...

"Have always had a relationship, honeymooning together."

MY BEST ADVICE...

"Go full speed ahead with whatever it is that excites you most in life."

PAT MCGRATH

She's the New York-based cosmetics queen behind both the flawless complexions and the shockingly bright looks seen on the runways (rhinestones on lips; blue and yellow faces). But as global design director for Procter & Gamble Beauty, McGrath, 38, also knows a thing or two about drugstore beauty. "Women should be more brave when they buy mass brands, like looking for a bolder color you wouldn't want to buy if it were expensive," she says. "And I think it's great to mix high and low prices." But, ultimately, McGrath believes, "Your makeup is only as good as the tools you use to apply it. It's worth investing in quality brushes." --J.P.H.

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HOLLYWOOD ICONS...

"As a kid, I loved old-time stars like Dorothy Dandridge and Bette Davis."